Xabi Alonso already told Man Utd to make $69m transfer for Euro 2024 winner

There is no such thing as ‘winning’ the transfer window, no matter what bores on social media might tell you. Even if such a thing did exist, the medals would not be handed out in mid-July.

There are corners of the Liverpool fanbase which are nervous and negative about the complete lack of signings made by new sporting director Richard Hughes . Some Reds supporters will be casting envious glances at Manchester United , something which won’t have happened too often in recent times.

The Red Devils have been aggressive in the market this summer. They have already signed Joshua Zirkzee and snatched Leny Yoro from under the noses of Liverpool and Real Madrid . It won’t be finished there by any means, with another rumored United target being a former player of Xabi Alonso .

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The player in question is Martin Zubamendi. He recently won Euro 2024 , coming on at half time in the final to replace injured Manchester City man Rodri. The 25-year-old reportedly has a $69m (£53m/€63m) release clause, and is said to be on United’s shopping list alongside the likes of Benfica's Joao Neves and Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte.

Zubamendi is under contract with Real Sociedad until 2027, and according to Transfermarkt has a market value of $54m (£42m/€50m). He came through the ranks at the club, meaning he benefited from the tutelage of Alonso during his time in charge of Real Sociedad B.

The former Liverpool midfielder deployed Zubamendi on 25 occasions, the last of which was in March 2020. Three months later when football resumed following the initial pandemic lockdown, he made his first start for the first team and has not looked back.

Alonso expressed his admiration for the player when speaking to The Guardian two years ago. "Martin’s a player all coaches would want,” he said. “He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself.”

"He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move,” Alonso continued. “He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise, the axis. I loved working with him.”

That’s high praise from a Bundesliga-winning manager. As Zubamendi is a high quality defensive midfielder, should Liverpool make up for missing out on Yoro by beating United to his signature instead?

Liverpool.com says: While no club should base its transfer policy on the opinion of another club's manager, a ringing endorsement from somebody who commands respect at the level Alonso does should count for something. United are starting to assemble a worryingly good squad.